TW201316143A - Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, image forming device, and developer refilling method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a first developer container that delivers developer to a second developer container, the first developer container including a first opening configured to be engaged with the second developer container and configured to deliver the developer; and a conveyor configured to convey the developer and configured to deliver the developer through the first opening.

Description

Developer container, developing device, processing cartridge, image forming device, and developer refilling method

The present invention relates to a developer container, a developing device, a processing cartridge, an image forming device, and a developer refilling method. Further, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of collecting a developer by a self-developing device (developer collecting method of a developing device), wherein the developing device is detachably mounted to an image forming device such as a photocopier and a printer , fax machine, or a combination machine of the above models. Embodiments of the present invention particularly relate to a developer collecting method of a developing device in which the developer container is detachably mounted to a developing device main unit.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, such as a printer or a photocopier, a process of developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum by supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image through a developing device, forming an image on the image On the surface of the recording medium. The developing device described below can be considered as a developing device included in such an image forming device. That is, a developing device that supplies toner from the toner crucible that stores the toner, and a developing device that uses the toner stored in advance in the developing device can be considered. When the toner stored in the toner cartridge is used up, the used toner cartridge will be replaced by a new toner cartridge filled with toner. Similarly, when the toner stored in the developing device is used up, the used developing device replaces the new developing device filled with the toner.

Inside the used toner cartridge or developing device, a considerable amount of developer (toner) remains. From an environmental point of view, in addition to the used toner or developer, the residual developer can preferably be reused.

For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-128184) discloses a reproducing method of a developing device which refills a developer with a used developing device to reproduce a developer. According to the reproduction method of Patent Document 1, the operator can simply reproduce the developer.

Further, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei No. 2005-037708) discloses a sputum cleaning device. The sputum cleaning device can effectively and successfully suck and discharge residual toner through the dust remover, thereby using the cassette again.

Further, in the image forming apparatus such as a photocopier or a printer, there has been a known technique of collecting the developer remaining inside the developing device by the recovery step of the developing device (refer to Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application) Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-242704, and Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-255730).

In particular, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for removing residual toner in which the developing roller is rotated in a direction opposite to the normal rotation direction in the recovery step of the developing device, and the circumference of the developing roller is passed through the cleaning unit. The surface is cleaned of toner. Here, the circumferential surface is exposed to the opening facing the photosensitive drum.

However, in the reproducing method of the developing device according to Patent Document 1, the developer remaining inside the developing device and the refilled developer are mixed with each other. When two types of developers having different usage histories are mixed in the developing device, since the charging characteristics of different types of developers are different from each other, when a large-area low-density image (gray image) is formed, development failure may occur, for example. The problem of uneven image density.

This problem caused by mixing two types of toners having different usage histories can be prevented by cleaning the cassette using the crucible cleaning device of Patent Document 2. However, in this case, a device for collecting residual toner may be required, thereby increasing the cost.

As described above, when the developer container containing the developer (toner) is reused, it is preferable to prevent problems caused by mixing two types of toners having different usage histories to ensure a certain level of image quality. . On the other hand, there are some consumers who can degrade image quality, even if the image quality is reduced, still require the purchase of low-priced recyclable products. Therefore, for such a consumer, it is still possible to reuse the toner cartridge or the developing device refilled with the mixed toner by collecting different types of developers having different usage histories.

Embodiments of the present invention have been developed in view of the above circumstances. An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a developer container which collects and reuses residual carbon powder without waste, that is, the developer container can efficiently recover residual carbon powder.

Further, after the developer is collected by a conventional technique, a developer which is not negligible remains in the inside of the developing device. Further, when the prior art is used, the developer collected by the self-developing device may be discarded without being reused. This problem occurs not only in the case of remanufacturing (recycling) the developing device in the recycling plant, but also in the case where the manufacturer refills the new developing device with the developer and performs the operation check of the developing device, and then collects the self-developing device. The developer and package and transport the developing device.

Embodiments of the present invention have been developed in view of the above problems. Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a developer collecting method of a developing device, so as to efficiently collect and reuse the developer remaining inside the developing device without waste.

One aspect of the present invention provides a first developer container configured to deliver developer to a second developer container. The first developer container includes: an opening configured to be coupled to the second developer container and configured to convey the developer; and a conveyor that conveys the developer and conveys toner through the opening.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a developer refilling method comprising: a bonding step of joining a first developer container and a second developer container, wherein the first developer container comprises: a first opening, Arranged to engage a second developer container; and a first conveyor configured to deliver the developer and configured to convey the developer through the first opening, and wherein the second developer container comprises: a second An opening configured to engage the first developer container; and a second conveyor configured to deliver the developer and configured to convey the developer through the second opening, the first developer container and the second The developer container is joined to each other by engaging the first opening and the second opening; a first conveying step of conveying the developer to the first opening in the first developer container through the first conveyor; a second conveying step of conveying the developer in a direction separating the developer from the second opening in the second developer container by the second conveyor, wherein the developing is transmitted through Transferring the first developer container from the first opening and the second opening to the second developer container, and refilling the second developer container with the developer, the first opening and the second opening being mutually Engage.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a developer collecting method of a developing device configured to be detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus main body.

The developing device includes: a developing device main unit configured to develop a latent image formed on an image supporting body; and a developer container configured to be detachably mounted on an upper portion of the developing device main unit, the developing device main The unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein the developer container is configured to store a developer to be supplied to the main unit of the developing device.

The developing device main unit includes: a developer supporting body disposed to face the image supporting body in a case where the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, and configured to support the developer; a plurality of conveyors Configuring to transport the developer stored in the main unit of the image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction, and configured to form a circulation path in the case where the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, wherein The conveyor is arranged in parallel in a vertical direction through an isolating member; and a main unit side is supplied with a weir, and is disposed in a case where the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body and located in the developing device main bill A container side of the developer container of the upper portion of the element is supplied with a side communication, wherein the main unit side is supplied with a crucible configuration to supply the developer from the developer container to the developing device main unit.

In the developer collecting method, when the developer remaining in the main unit of the developing device is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the developing device main unit is mounted with the developing device main unit and the developer container In the case of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a first arrangement in which the developing device main unit is different from the second arrangement of the developer container is mounted to the developer container, and the developing device main unit is mounted on the image. Similarly to the case of the apparatus main body, the developer of the developing device main body is discharged by driving the conveyers, and the developer is collected inside the developer container.

According to the embodiment, the present invention can provide a developer container which can realize efficient recovery. The developer container of the present invention can collect and reuse the residual toner without wasting.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the developer remaining in the main unit of the developing device is removed from the main body of the developing device by arranging a plurality of conveyors, wherein the conveyors are conveyed in the longitudinal direction The developer, and the circulation path is formed inside the developing device body in parallel in a vertical direction by a spacer member. When the developer container is mounted inside the developing device main body in a manner different from that of the developing device main body mounted on the developing device main body when the developing device main body is attached to the image forming device main body, by driving the same The conveyor discharges the developer from the main body of the developing device, and collects the developer inside the developer container. Thereby, it is possible to provide a developer collecting method for the developing device, so as to efficiently collect and reuse the developer remaining inside the developing device without wasting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, portions of the same structure are provided with the same reference numerals, and thus repeated description will be omitted.

<First Embodiment> <Structure of Image Forming Apparatus>

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a color image forming apparatus having four image forming units. Each of the image forming units includes a photoconductor 22, a developing device 31 facing the photoconductor 22, and a toner cartridge 41 as a developer container, which is disposed above the developing device 31.

Around the photoconductor 22 (photoreceptors 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d), charging rollers 21 (charging rollers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d) for charging the surface of the photoconductor 22 to have one have been provided. a predetermined potential; an exposure device 16 (exposure devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d) for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 22 whose surface is charged; developing device 31 (developing devices 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d) For supplying the electrostatic latent image with toner; and a cleaning blade 23 (cleaning blades 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d) for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 22 after the toner image is transferred.

Further, the intermediate transfer belt 28 which is in close contact with the photoreceptor 22 and separated from the photoconductor 22 is hung around the drive roller 26, the driven roller 27, and the main rollers (main rollers 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d) so that The intermediate transfer belt 28 is rotationally driven.

When an image is formed, first, the charging roller 21 charges the surface of the photoconductor 22 so as to have a predetermined potential. Subsequently, the exposure device 16 exposes the charging surface of the photoreceptor 22 in accordance with the input image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 22.

When the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 22 passes the position facing the developing roller 32 (developing rollers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d), the potential difference between the surface of the photoconductor 22 and the developing device 31 causes The toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image; wherein the developing device 31 rotates when the surface supports the charged toner. A bias is applied to the developed toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 22 at a position facing the main transport roller 29, whereby the toner image is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 28. A full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 28 by superimposing color images of different colors corresponding to the photoconductors 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. After the toner image is conveyed to the intermediate transfer belt 28, the toner not transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28 is removed from the surface of the photoconductor 22 by the cleaning blade 23, so that the photoconductor 22 can be prepared for the next image formation.

Next, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 28 is conveyed to a recording medium which is conveyed via a bias applied between the drive roller 26 and the second transfer roller 39. The recording medium that is secondarily transferred by the toner image is then further conveyed, and when the recording medium passes through the fixing device 71, the toner image is melted by heating, and is fixed to the recording medium by the pressure applied to the recording medium. s surface. Thereafter, the recording medium is discharged outside the apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 100 can print a full-color image on the surface of the recording medium by the above steps. Here, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is a tandem color printer. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a rotary color printer or an image forming apparatus having a file reading device such as a photocopier or a facsimile device.

<Structure of toner >>

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge 41 according to the first embodiment.

The toner cartridge 41 is a developer container for storing toner used as a developer used in image formation. The toner cartridge 41 includes a conveying screw 51 that is rotatably placed inside the toner cartridge 41. One end portion of the conveying screw 51 is exposed to the outside of the toner cartridge 41, and the gear 52 is attached to the exposed portion. When the gear 52 mounted on the conveying screw 51 meshes with the gear of the image forming apparatus 100 and the driving force is transmitted to the gear 52, the conveying screw 51 rotates. When the conveying screw 51 rotates, the toner inside the toner cartridge 41 is conveyed to the direction indicated by the arrow A in the drawing. The toner is then dropped from the toner supply port 53, whereby the toner is supplied to the developing device 31.

Further, when the toner is supplied, the toner cartridge 41 includes a first opening 54 and a second opening 55 which are located on the upstream side of the toner supply port 53 in the toner conveying direction. The first opening 54 is a male opening and the second opening 55 is a female opening. The first opening 54 and the second opening 55 have shapes that can be joined to each other.

A sheet-like sealing member 56 is disposed at the positions of the openings 54 and 55. During normal use, the openings 54 and 55 are sealed to prevent toner from leaking. The sheet-like sealing member 56 is configured such that it can be pulled out along the side surface of the toner cartridge 41. Openings 54 and 55 can be opened by pulling out sealing element 56.

The used toner cartridge 41 can be connected to another toner cartridge having the same structure through the openings 54 and 55. The toner crucible 41 can transfer the toner remaining therein to another toner crucible. Further, the toner cartridge 41 can receive the toner remaining inside the other toner cartridge.

Also, when two used toner cartridges 41 are joined, one of the used toner cartridges 41 can be refilled with residual toner remaining inside the other used toner cartridge 41. The residual toner can be removed from another used toner crucible 41, and the other used toner crucible 41 can be refilled with new carbon powder. The other used toner cartridge 41, which has been cleaned of residual toner and has been refilled with new toner, can be reused as a toner cartridge which can form a high quality image. On the other hand, the used toner cartridge 41 which has been refilled with residual toner collected from another used toner crucible 41 can be provided as a less expensive recycled product.

<Refilling of toner>

A method of transferring the toner remaining inside the used toner crucible 41a to the used toner crucible 41b will be described below.

In order to refill the residual toner to the used toner crucible 41b, the toner crucible 41a is attached to the toner crucible 41b. Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the state of connection of the toner cartridge 41a and the toner cartridge 41b according to the first embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 3, the toner cartridges 41a and 41b are used toner cartridges 41 having the openings 54 and 55 shown in Fig. 2. The toner cartridges 41a and 41b can be connected to each other through the openings 54 and 55. Specifically, the two toner cartridges 41a and 41b can be inserted into the opening 55b of the toner cartridge 41b by the opening 54a of the toner cartridge 41a, and the opening 54b of the toner cartridge 41b can be inserted into the opening 55a of the toner cartridge 41a. Come connect. Since the openings 54 and 55 have mutually joined shapes, the two toner cartridges 41a and 41b can be connected to each other without using special elements.

When the sheet-like sealing members 56a and 56b are pulled out, and when the two used toner cartridges 41a and 41b are connected, the state of the toner cartridges 41a and 41b becomes a state in which the insides of the toner cartridges 41a and 41b communicate with each other, Therefore, the developer can be conveyed.

Next, by driving the conveying screws 51a and 51b corresponding to the toner cartridges 41a and 41b, the residual toner can be refilled. Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a method of transferring toner of one of the self-connecting toner cartridges 41a and 41b to another toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

The gear 57a is engaged with the gear 52a corresponding to the conveying screw 51a, and the gear 57b is engaged with the gear 52b corresponding to the conveying screw 51b, so that when the toner cartridges 41a and 41b are connected to each other, the engine 58a as a power source is 58b can rotate the corresponding conveying screws 51a and 51b.

In the state of the structure shown in Fig. 4, the engine 58a rotates the conveying screw 51a so as to move the toner remaining inside the toner cartridge 41a in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and through the openings 54 and 55 in the residual toner. The residual toner is conveyed in the direction discharged to the toner crucible 41b.

In the toner cartridge 41b, the engine 58b rotates the conveying screw 51b so as to pass the received residual toner to the direction in which the residual toner is separated from the openings 54 and 55 (the direction indicated by the arrow B in the drawing) through the openings 54 and 55. mobile. By rotating the conveying screw 51b of the toner crucible 41b and conveying the residual toner in the direction of the arrow B, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of residual toner at the openings 54 and 55, and the residual toner can be quickly received.

By placing the toner crucible 41a discharging the residual toner upward in the vertical direction, and placing the toner crucible 41b receiving the residual toner downward in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the toner from remaining in the toner crucible 41a. internal.

When the residual toner of the toner crucible 41a is again filled into the toner crucible 41b, the toner crucible 41b is sequentially refilled with the residual carbon powder of the used toner crucible 41c, 41d, ..., and the like.

The toner crucibles 41a, 41c, 41d, ..., etc., which have discharged the residual toner to the toner crucible 41b, can be used again as a toner crucible by refilling the new carbon powder. By refilling the new toner, problems such as a decrease in image quality such as density unevenness caused by mixing toner having different usage histories can be avoided, and the toner cartridges 41a, 41c, 41d, ..., etc. can be thereby It is used again as a toner cartridge that forms a high-quality image.

Further, the toner crucible 41b which has been refilled with residual carbon powder can be reused as a low-priced toner crucible together with the residual carbon powder. When using low-cost toner cartridges, uneven images may appear, such as using gray images that are mixed with toner images with different usage histories. However, the low-priced toner is sufficient for outputting a person image or a stereoscopic image having a lower quality image.

<Second embodiment>

The second embodiment will be described below. Here, the description of the same structural portions as the first embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the toner cartridge 41 according to the second embodiment.

The toner cartridge 41 is a developer container for storing toner used as a developer used for development of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1. A conveying screw 51 as a conveyor for conveying the toner is rotatably placed in the toner cartridge 41. Further, one end portion of the conveying screw 51 is placed outside the toner cartridge 41, and the gear 52 is attached to the exposed portion. When the connected gear 52 meshes with the gear of the image forming apparatus 100, the driving force can be transmitted and the conveying screw 51 can be rotated. When the conveying screw 51 rotates, the toner inside the toner cartridge 41 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the drawing. When the toner falls from the toner supply cassette 53, the toner is supplied to the developing device 31.

Further, during the toner supply, the opening 54 of the toner cartridge 41 is located on the upstream side of the toner supply port 53 in the toner conveying direction. In the position of the opening, a sliding sealing element 56 is provided. The sliding sealing element 56 seals the opening 54 during normal use to prevent toner leakage. The sliding sealing member 56 is disposed to be slidable along the surface of the toner cartridge 41. The operator can open the opening 54 by sliding the sealing element 56.

By connecting the used toner cartridge 41 to another toner cartridge having the same structure, the residual toner in the used toner cartridge 41 can be discharged to the other toner cartridge through the opening 54. Further, since the used toner cartridge 41 is connected to another toner cartridge, the used toner cartridge 41 can receive and collect the residual toner remaining inside the other toner cartridge through the opening 54.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a connection state of the toner cartridges 41a and 41b and a method of transferring the toner of one of the toner cartridges 41a and 41b to another toner cartridge according to the second embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 6, the opening 54a of the toner cartridge 41a and the opening 54b of the toner cartridge 41b can be connected by the connecting member 59. The connecting member 59 is a cylindrical member and has a through hole therein. Both end portions of the connecting member 59 have a shape engageable with the openings 54a and 54b of the toner cartridges 41a and 41b.

Further, the present embodiment provides the engines 58a and 58b as power sources for the conveying screws 51a and 51b for rotating the toner cartridges 41a and 41b. The engine 58a rotates the conveying screw 51a and moves the residual toner toward the direction of the arrow A in the drawing. The engine 58b rotates the conveying screw 51b and moves the residual toner toward the direction of the arrow B in the drawing. The residual toner can be discharged to the toner cartridge 41b through the opening 54a, the through hole of the connecting member 59, and the opening 54b by the rotation of the conveying screws 51a and 51b.

Similarly, the toner cartridges 41a and 41b and the residual toner can be used to connect the two used toner cartridges 41a and 41b, refill the toner cartridge 41b with residual toner, and remove residual toner from the toner crucible 41a. The toner crucible 41a is refilled with new carbon powder and is effectively and efficiently reused.

<Third embodiment>

The third embodiment will be described below. Here, the description of the same structural portions as the above embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the developing device 31 according to the third embodiment.

The developing device 31 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1 . The developing device 31 includes: a toner accommodating chamber 35; an agitator 34 serving as a stirrer and a conveyor; a developing roller 32; a supply roller 33 for supplying toner to the developing roller 32; and an opening 36 located at the developing roller 32 On the side surface of the side; and a sealing member 38 slidably sealing the opening 36.

Similar to the toner cartridge 41 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when the two developing devices 31 having the opening 36 shown in Fig. 7 are connected, it is possible to refill one of the developing devices 31 with residual carbon. The powder and the other developing device 31 are refilled with new toner to effectively reuse the developing device 31 and the residual toner.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a connection state of the developing devices 31a and 31b according to the third embodiment and a method of transferring the toner of one of the developing devices 31a and 31b to another developing device.

As shown in Fig. 8, the openings 36a and 36b of the developing devices 31a and 31b can be connected by a connecting member 59. The connecting member 59 is a cylindrical member and has a through hole therein. Both end portions of the connecting member 59 have shapes that can be engaged with the openings 36a and 36b of the developing devices 31a and 31b, respectively.

The agitator 34a of the developing device 31a rotates to move the residual toner toward the direction of the arrow A in the drawing. The agitator 34b of the developing device 31b is rotated to move the residual toner toward the direction of the arrow B in the drawing. The residual toner can be transferred from the developing device 31b to the developing device 31b through the opening 36a, the through hole of the connecting member 59, and the opening 36b by the rotation of the agitators 34a and 34b.

Similarly, by connecting the used two developing devices 31a and 31b, the developing device 31b is refilled with residual toner, the residual toner of the self-developing device 31a is removed, and the developing device 31a is refilled with new toner, and developed. The devices 31a and 31b and the residual toner can be effectively reused.

Further, a first opening 36 having a male shape and a second opening 37 having a female shape are formed in the developing device 31. In this way, the two used developing devices 31 can be connected through the openings 36 and 37 as shown in FIG.

With the above configuration, the developing devices 31a and 31b and the residual can be efficiently and efficiently reused by connecting the two used developing devices 31a and 31b and refilling one of the developing devices 31a and 31b with residual toner. Toner.

<Fourth embodiment>

The fourth embodiment will be described below. Here, the description of the same structural portions as the above embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge 101 according to the fourth embodiment.

The processing cassette 101 is a unit integrally formed with the developing device 31, the photoconductor 22, the charging roller 21, and the cleaning blade 23. The process cartridge 101 can be separately mounted to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 1.

The developing device 31 includes: a toner accommodating chamber 35 for storing toner; an agitator 34 serving as a stirrer and a conveyor; a developing roller 32; a supply roller 33 supplying toner to the developing roller 32; and an opening 36 formed in On the side surface of one side of the supply roller 33; and a sealing member 38, the opening 36 is slidably sealed.

When the used process cartridge 101 having the structure shown in Fig. 10 is connected to another process cartridge 101 through the opening 36 of the developing device, the developer device 31 of one of the process cartridges 101 can be refilled with a residue. The toner and the developing device 31 of the other processing crucible 101 are refilled with new carbon powder, and the treated crucible 101 and the residual carbon powder are effectively reused.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a connection state of the processing cartridges 101a and 101b and a method of transferring the toner from the processing cartridge 101a to the processing cartridge 101b according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 11, the opening 36a of the developing device 31a for processing the crucible 101a and the opening 36b of the developing device 31b for processing the crucible 101b can be connected by the connecting member 59. The connecting member 59 is a cylindrical member and has a through hole therein. Both end portions of the connecting member 59 may be engaged with the openings 36a and 36b of the developing devices 31a and 31b, respectively.

The agitator 34a of the developing device 31a rotates to move the residual toner toward the direction of the arrow A in the drawing. Similarly, the agitator 34b of the developing device 31b rotates to move the residual toner toward the direction of the arrow B in the drawing. The residual toner can be transferred from the developing device 31a to the developing device 31b through the opening 36a, the connecting member 59, and the opening 36b by the rotation of the agitators 34a and 34b.

Similarly, when the two used processing cartridges 101a and 101b are connected, the processing cartridges 101a and 101b and the residual toner can be removed from the processing device of the processing cartridge 101a by refilling the developing device 31b of the processing cartridge 101b with residual toner. The residual toner of 31a and the developing device 31a of the treated crucible 101a are refilled with new carbon powder to be effectively reused.

Further, by forming the first opening 36 having the male shape and the second opening 37 having the female shape in the developing device 31 for processing the crucible 101, the two used processing cartridges 101 can pass through the developing device 31. The openings 36 and 37 are connected as shown in Fig. 12.

Similarly, through the above configuration, the processing unit 101a can be efficiently and efficiently reused by connecting the two used processing cartridges 101a and 101b and refilling the residual toner to one of the processing cartridges 101a and 101b. With 101b and residual toner.

<Fifth Embodiment>

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 13 to 17. Fig. 13 is a view showing the structure of a printer as an image forming apparatus. Fig. 14 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the image forming unit 206Y in the printer. Further, Fig. 15 is a view showing the configuration of the configuration of the developing device 205Y which is attached to the image forming device. Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the developing device 205Y when the developing device 205Y is viewed from the viewing direction E in Fig. 14. As shown in FIG. 13, the intermediate transfer belt unit 2015 is located at the center of the image forming apparatus main body 2100. Further, the image forming units 206Y, 206M, 206C, and 206K corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in parallel to face the intermediate transfer belt 208 of the intermediate transfer belt unit 2015.

Referring to Fig. 14, the image forming unit 206Y corresponding to yellow includes: a photosensitive drum 201Y as an image supporting body; a charging unit 204Y located around the photosensitive drum 201Y; a developing device 205Y; a cleaning unit 202Y; and a neutralization unit (not shown in In the picture). An image forming step (a charging step, an exposing step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a cleaning step) is performed on the photosensitive drum 201Y, whereby a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 201Y.

The three image forming units 206M, 206C, and 206K have the same configuration as the image forming unit 206Y corresponding to yellow, except that the colors of the toners for the image forming units 206M, 206C, and 206K are different. The image forming units 206M, 206C, and 206K form a magenta image, a cyan image, and a black image, respectively. The description of the three image forming units 206M, 206C, and 206K will be briefly described below, and only the image forming unit 206Y corresponding to the yellow will be described.

Referring to Fig. 14, the photosensitive drum 201Y (image support) is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction by an engine (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 204Y (charging roller) (charging step). Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y reaches a position where the light emitted from the exposure unit 207Y (optical writing head) is illuminated, and the electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed at this position by exposure scanning (exposure step).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y reaches a position facing the developing unit 205Y (developing device main unit 2050). The electrostatic latent image is developed at this position, thereby forming a yellow toner image (developing step). Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y reaches its position facing the intermediate transfer belt 208 and the main conveying roller 209Y. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 201 is conveyed to the intermediate transfer belt 208 at this position (main transfer step). At this time, a small amount of toner that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 208 remains on the photosensitive drum 201Y.

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y reaches its position facing the cleaning unit 202Y. The toner that has not been conveyed and remains on the photosensitive drum 201Y is collected by the cleaning blade 202a and stored in the cleaning unit 202Y (cleaning step). Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y reaches its position facing the neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photoreceptor 201Y is eliminated at this position. Also, a series of image forming steps performed on the photosensitive drum 201Y are terminated.

Similar to the case of the yellow image forming unit 206Y, the image forming steps are performed on the image forming units 206M, 206C, and 206K. That is, the light based on the image information is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 201M from the exposure unit 207M located above the image forming unit 206M. Similarly, the light based on the image information is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 201C from the exposure unit 207C located above the image forming unit 206C, and the light based on the image information is self-located from the image forming unit 206K. The exposure unit 207K is irradiated to the photosensitive drum 201K. Subsequently, the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed on the corresponding photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201K are superposed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 208, thereby forming a color image in the middle. On the conveyor belt 208.

For example, referring to Fig. 13, the intermediate transfer belt unit 2015 may include: an intermediate transfer belt 208; four main transfer rollers 209Y, 209M, 209C, and 209K (refer to Fig. 14); a drive roller; and a driven roller. The intermediate transfer belt 208 is suspended around and supported by the driving roller, the driven roller, and the main conveying rollers 209Y, 209M, 209C, and 209K. The intermediate transfer belt 208 is continuously moved by the rotational driving of the drive roller in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 13 (counterclockwise direction).

The main transport roller 209Y forms a main transport clip by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 208 between the main transport roller 209Y and the photosensitive drum 201Y. A transfer voltage (transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the main transfer roller 209Y. Then, the intermediate transfer belt 208 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 13, and the intermediate transfer belt 208 sequentially passes through the main transfer nippers corresponding to the main transport rollers 209Y, 209M, 209C, and 209K. Also, when stacked, the toner images corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black on the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201K are mainly transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 208.

Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 208 reaches a position facing the second transfer roller 2019 in which toner images corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black have been superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 208. The driving roller (second conveying facing roller) forms a second conveying clip by sandwiching the intermediate conveying belt 208 between the driving roller and the second conveying roller 2019. The toner images of the four colors formed on the intermediate transfer belt 208 are conveyed to a recording medium P such as a transfer paper, wherein the recording medium P has been transported to the position of the second transfer folder. At this time, the toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 208.

Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 208 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown). The toner that has not been conveyed and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 208 is removed at this position. Likewise, a series of intermediate transfer steps performed on the intermediate conveyor 208 are terminated.

Referring to Fig. 13, the recording medium P is transported from the paper feeding unit 2026 located at the lower portion of the image forming apparatus main body 2100 to the position of the second conveying clip by the paper feed roller 2027 and a pair of recording rollers (a pair of timing rollers). Specifically, a plurality of recording media P such as transfer paper are stacked and stored in Paper feed unit 2026. When the paper feed roller 2027 is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 13, the recording medium P at the uppermost position is fed toward the space between the recording rollers 2028.

The recording medium P that has been transported to the pair of recording rollers 2028 is stopped at a position that reaches the roller folder of the pair of recording rollers 2028. Here, the rotational driving of the pair of recording rollers 2028 has stopped. Then, the pair of recording rollers 2028 are rotationally driven to synchronize with the timing of the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 208, thereby transferring the recording medium P toward the second transfer folder. Likewise, the desired color image is transmitted to the recording medium P.

Thereafter, the recording medium P is transported to the position of the fixed unit 2020, in which the color image has been transferred to the recording medium P at the position of the second transport clip. Then, at this position, the color image that has been transported to the surface of the recording medium P is fixed to the recording medium P by heat and pressure from the fixing tape and the pressure roller. Thereafter, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through a pair of discharge rollers. The recording medium P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the pair of discharge rollers is sequentially stacked on the stacking unit (main body cover 2110). Through the above steps, a series of image forming steps are completed in the image forming apparatus.

The image forming unit 206Y of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the image forming unit 206Y may include a photosensitive drum (image support), a charging unit 204Y (charging roller), a developing device 205Y, and a cleaning unit 202Y. The photosensitive drum 201Y as an image support is a negatively charged organic photoreceptor. The photosensitive drum 201Y is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in Fig. 14 by the driving force received from the engine (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 2100.

The charging roller 204Y (charging unit) is a roller having elasticity, and the metal core is formed of a polyurethane foam layer having an intermediate resistance. Here, a polyurethane resin, carbon black as a conductive particle, a vulcanizing agent, and a foaming agent are all applied to the urethane foam layer. As the material of the intermediate resistance layer of the charging roller 204Y, for example, a rubber material formed by dispersing a conductive material such as carbon black or a metal oxide can be used, and in the polyurethane, EPDM, Nitrile rubber (NBR), tantalum rubber, or isoprene rubber. Here, the conductive material is dispersed in the rubber material to adjust the impedance. Further, a material formed by foaming the above rubber material may be used as the material of the intermediate resistance layer. In the fifth embodiment, the charging roller 204Y is in contact with the photosensitive drum 201Y. However, the charging roller 204Y may not contact the photosensitive drum 201Y. The cleaning unit 202Y includes a cleaning blade 202a that slidably contacts the photosensitive drum 201Y. The cleaning unit 202Y mechanically removes and collects the toner that has not been conveyed and remains on the photosensitive drum 201Y.

In the developing device 205Y, the developing roller 2051Y is placed in contact with the photosensitive drum 201Y. A developing area (developing nip portion) is formed between the developing roller 2051Y and the photosensitive drum 201Y. The toner (single-component developer) used as the developer is stored in the developing device 205Y. The developing device 205Y develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 201Y (developing device 205Y forms a toner image).

The developing device 205Y will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. Referring to Fig. 14, a developing device 205Y according to a fifth embodiment is a developing device using a single component developing method. The developing device 205Y includes: a developing device main unit 2050 for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 201Y; and a toner container 2060 as a developer container for storing toner supplied to the developing device main unit 2050 ( Developer). The developing device 205Y is detachably (alternatively) mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100. Here, the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 can be replaced, respectively. That is, the toner container 2060 is detachably attached to the upper position of the developing device main unit 2050, and the developing device main unit 2050 is attached to the image forming device main body 2100. Further, by opening and closing the main body cover 2110 (refer to FIG. 13) and when it is centered by a hinge (not shown), the toner container 2060 is separated from the developing device main unit 2050, and only the toner container 2060 can be replaced. Alternatively, the developing device main unit 2050 (developer device 205Y) to which the toner container 2060 is mounted may be replaced. Here, the timing of replacing the toner container 2060 is when the toner stored inside the toner container 2060 is used up. When the developing device 2050 is replaced, some of its internal components (for example, the developing roller 2051) reach the end of life and the toner inside the developing device 2050 is used up. Therefore, through the above configuration, the toner containers 2060 can be replaced separately. However, the developing device main unit 2050 is replaced by the toner container 2060 (in the case where the toner container 2060 is mounted to the developing device 2050).

For example, the developing device main unit 2050 includes: a developing roller 2051 as a developer supporting body; a supply roller 2053 as a developer supply member; a doctor blade 2052 as a developer regulating member; and a first conveying screw as a conveyor 2054 and a second conveying screw 2055; a separating member 2056 for separating the first conveying path B1 including the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying path B2 including the second conveying screw 2055; and the main unit side supply port 2057 The toner is supplied from the toner container 2060 to the main unit side supply port 2057.

When the developing roller 2051 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the developing roller 2051 (developer supporting body) faces the photoreceptor 201Y, and the developing roller 2051 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 201Y. Developing roller 2051 by elastic layer and surface layer having conductive properties It is formed by pressing on a metal core. When the developing device main unit 2050 is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the supply roller 2053 (developer supply member) is positioned below the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055. The supply roller 2053 slides to come into contact with the developing roller 2051, thereby supplying toner to the developing roller 2051. The supply roller 2053 is formed by laminating a foamed polyurethane layer having conductive properties on a metal core. When the developing device main unit 2050 is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the doctor blade 2052 (developer adjusting member) is placed in contact with the developing roller 2051 through a predetermined pressure and a predetermined angle, and is responsible for adjusting it to be supported on the developing roller 2051. The amount of developer. The doctor blade 2052 can be composed of a thin plate-like member made of metal such as stainless steel.

When the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 (conveyor) are both mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 are in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the surface of the paper of FIG. 14) The toner stored in the developing device main unit 2050 is transferred in the direction to form a circulation path. The first conveying screw 2054 as the first conveyor is located at a position facing the supply roller 2053 (a position above the supply roller 2053). When the first conveying screw 2054 conveys the toner horizontally (from right to left in FIG. 15) in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction), the first conveying screw 2054 supplies the toner to the supply roller 2053.

As the second conveyor, the second conveying screw 2055 is placed by the spacer member 2056 at a position facing the first conveying screw (a position above the first conveying screw 2054). The second conveying screw 2055 conveys the toner horizontally (transferred from left to right in Fig. 15) in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction). The circulation path of the toner conveyed by the second conveying screw 2055 is such that the toner passes through the first relay portion from the downstream side in the first conveying path B1 including the first conveying screw 2054 via the second relay portion A2. A1 is conveyed toward the upstream side of the first conveyance path B1 (the circulation path indicated by the black arrow in Fig. 15). Similar to the developing roller 2051 and the photosensitive drum 201Y, the rotating shafts of the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 are placed in an almost horizontal manner. The first conveying screw 2054 is formed by screwing a screw portion to a rotating shaft. Similarly, the second conveying screw 2055 is formed by screwing the screw portion to the rotating shaft.

The conveying path (first conveying path B1) including the first conveying screw 2054 and the conveying path (second conveying path B2) including the second conveying screw 2055 are separated by the partition member 2056 (wall portion). Referring to Fig. 15, the downstream side of the second conveying path B2 including the second conveying screw 2055 communicates with the upstream side of the first conveying path B1 including the first conveying screw 2054 through the first relay portion A1. The toner reaching the downstream side of the second conveying path B2 including the second conveying screw 2055 falls at the first relay portion A1 due to its own weight, thereby causing the toner to reach the first The upstream side of the conveying path B1. Further, referring to Fig. 15, the downstream side of the first transport path B1 including the first transport screw 2054 and the upstream side of the second transport path B2 including the second transport screw 2055 are communicated via the second relay portion A2. The toner that is not supplied to the supply roller 2053 in the first conveyance path B1 is accumulated in the vicinity of the second relay portion A2 and is pumped, so that the toner is conveyed (supplied) to the second through the second relay portion A2. The upstream side of the second transport path B2. Further, in order to increase the toner conveying ability at the second relay portion A2 (transfer the toner from the first conveying path B1 to the second conveying path B2 by anti-gravity), the winding direction of the screw is opposite to that of the other portions. The shape or the screw portion may be provided at a position on the downstream side of the first conveying screw 2054 (a position corresponding to the second relay portion A2).

Referring to Fig. 14, in the developing device main unit 2050, when the developing device main unit 2050 is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the main unit side supply port 2057 is connected to the container side supply port 2063 of the toner container 2060 at its upper position. Way of configuration. The main unit side supply port 2057 is for supplying toner (developer) from the toner container 2060 to the developing device main unit 2050. A plurality of gears (not shown) are mounted to the respective shaft portions of the developing roller 2051, the supply roller 2053, the first conveying screw 2054, and the second conveying screw 2055, thereby forming a series of gears including the idler. When a driving force of a driving motor (drive source) not shown in the drawing is applied to the series of gears, the developing roller 2051, the supply roller 2053, the first conveying screw 2054, and the second conveying screw 2055 are in Fig. 14 The corresponding direction indicated by the arrow is rotationally driven.

For example, the toner container 2060 as a developer container includes: an agitator 2061; a container side conveying screw 2062 as a container side conveyor; and a container side supply port 2063 which functions as a toner discharge during normal operation. use. The agitator 2061 can be formed by adhering a thin plate-like flexible member to the rotating shaft portion, and is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 14 to be transported to the toner container 2060 toward the conveying path including the container side conveying screw 2062. Contains the toner in unit C. When the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the container side conveying screw 2062 (container side conveyor) conveys the toner stored in the toner container 2060 toward the container side supply port 2063 in the longitudinal direction (Fig. 15 Transfer left to right). In the longitudinal direction, the container side supply port 2063 is formed at the end of the conveying path including the container side conveying screw 2062. The toner discharged from the container side supply port 2063 is dropped by its own weight and supplied to the upstream side of the second conveying path B2 in the developing device main unit 2050 through the main unit side supply port 2057.

The operation steps of the developing device 205Y having the above configuration are as follows. First, the toner supplied from the toner container 2060 to the inside of the second conveying path B2 through the main unit side supply port 2057 and the container side supply port 2063 is circulated in the developing device main unit 2050, and when the toner is passed through the second conveying screw 2055 While mixing and stirring, it is supplied to the first conveying path B1. The toner that has been conveyed to the first conveyance path B1 is conveyed by the first conveyance screw 2054, and a part of the toner is supplied to the supply roller 2053 and supported by the supply roller 2053. The toner supported by the supply roller 2053 is frictionally charged at the pressing portion between the supply roller 2053 and the developing roller 2051. Thereafter, the toner is conveyed to the developing roller 2051 and supported by the developing roller 2051. Then, the toner supported by the developing roller 2051 becomes thin and uniform, and then reaches a position (developing region) where the developing roller 2051 contacts the photosensitive drum 201Y. At this position, the toner is fixed to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 201Y by an electric field (developing electric field) formed in the developing region.

Next, the developer collecting method for the developing device 205Y (developing device main unit 2050 and toner container 2060) according to the fifth embodiment will be described in detail. In the fifth embodiment, when the developing device 205Y is reused and the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming device main body 2100 is collected, the developing device main unit 2050 is mounted on the image with the developing device 205Y. In the apparatus main body 2100, the arrangement of the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 is different from the arrangement of the toner container 2060. By the above arrangement, similarly to the case where the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 are driven, whereby the toner is discharged from the developing device main unit 2050, and carbon is discharged. The powder is collected inside the toner container 2060.

Specifically, referring to Fig. 16, when the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the developing device main unit 2050 is mounted (arranged) to the toner container 2060 to facilitate development. When the apparatus main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 are attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 with respect to the developing device 205Y, and when the arrangement of the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 are arranged upside down, the container side is supplied with the crucible 2063 and the main unit. Side supply 埠 2057 is connected. That is, during the normal operation of the developing device 205Y mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the developing device main unit 2050 is disposed such that the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 are positioned above the developing roller 2051 and the supply roller 2053, and the main The unit side supply 埠 2057 is opened upwards as shown in Fig. 15. Further, the toner container 2060 is disposed such that the container side supply port 2063 is opened downward over the developing device main unit 2050. In contrast to the above configuration, when the developing device 205Y is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 and toner is collected, The developing device main unit 2050 is disposed such that the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 are positioned below the developing roller 2051 and the supply roller 2053, and the main unit side supply port 2057 is opened downward as shown in FIG. Further, the toner container 2060 is disposed such that the container side supply port 2063 is opened upward under the developing device main unit 2050.

In the case of the arrangement of the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 as shown in Fig. 16, similar to the case where the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming device main body 2100, the first conveying screw in the developing device main unit 2050 The second conveying screw 2055 is rotationally driven with the second conveying screw 2055 in the forward direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 14). The autonomous unit side supply port 2057 discharges the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 while circulating in the direction indicated by the black arrow of Fig. 16, whereby the toner is collected in the toner container through the container side supply port 2063. The interior of the 2060. The above toner collecting work is preferably performed without rotating the developing roller 2051 and the supplying roller 2053. However, even if the developing roller 2051 and the supply roller 2053 are rotated using the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055, since the amount of toner circulated in the conveying paths B1 and B2 is small and the developing roller 2051 and the supply roller 2053 are both conveyed Above the paths B1 and B2, the toner is thus not supplied to the supply roller 2053 from the conveying paths B1 and B2. Further, since the toner is discharged from the main unit side supply port 2057 located at the bottom of the conveying paths B1 and B2, similarly to the case of normal operation, when the rotation is driven by the first conveying screw 2054 and the second conveying screw 2055 When the toner circulates in the conveying paths B1 and B2, the amount of the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 approaches zero.

Further, when such a toner collecting operation is performed (when the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected), the container side conveying screw 2062 is preferably mounted to the developing device 205Y. At the time of the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the container side conveying screw 2062 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the direction in which the rotation is rotationally driven. With this configuration, the toner from the developing device main unit 2050 and having been conveyed to the inside of the toner container 2060 can be conveyed to the longitudinal direction by the reverse rotation driving of the container side conveying screw 2062 through the container side supply port 2063. The side separated from the container side supply port 2063 (transferred from right to left in Fig. 16). Therefore, in the case where the toner 206 is not overflowed from the side of the container, it is ensured that the toner is collected inside the housing unit C of the toner container 2060.

The developing device 205Y is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 by opening and closing the main body cover 2110 (the developing device 205Y includes the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060) and the developing device 205Y is transferred to the recycling factory, and can be recycled. Carry out the above toner collection during the period jobs. In this case, the special tool (the special tool includes: a housing unit for accommodating the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 shown in FIG. 16; and a driving motor to rotationally drive the first conveying screw 2054) The second conveying screw 2055 and the container side conveying screw are mounted on the developing device 205Y placed in the recycling plant to perform the toner collecting work. In this case, the developing device 205 is coupled to the special tool in the upside down state. Next, by performing the above-described toner collecting work, the toner inside the developing device main unit 2050 can be completely emptied, and the toner (residual toner) collected inside the toner container 2060 can be reused. Specifically, the toner container 2060 that collects the residual toner is separated from the developing device main unit 2050, and then another special tool is attached to the toner container 2060, thereby filling (refilling) the toner container 2060 with new toner. Then, after the sealing member is newly installed on the side of the container to supply the crucible 2063, the toner container 2060 is again produced as the toner container 2060 for recycling. On the other hand, after the residual toner which has been developed to the inside of the main unit 2050 is almost completely removed, the operator can perform a simple cleaning work and necessary component replacement work, so that the developing device main unit 2050 is again produced for recycling. Developing device main unit 2050.

In the fifth embodiment, the developer collecting operation is performed as part of the recycling step. However, the developer collection work can be performed as part of a manufacturing process for manufacturing and transporting a new developing device. Specifically, in the manufacturing process of manufacturing a new developing device 205Y, the manufactured developing device 205Y has been filled with toner (toner to be verified) and the operation inspection has been completed (for example, confirmation of the image quality of the output image) After that, the toner is collected by the developing device 205Y, whereby the developing device 205Y is packaged and shipped in a clean state. In this case, in the toner collecting step, the toner collecting work is performed in a manner similar to the fifth embodiment. Also, without being wasted, the toner for verification can be collected in the toner container 2060 (the toner container of the verification step).

The toner container 2060 according to the fifth embodiment includes a container side conveying screw 2062 (container side conveyor). When the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the toner is conveyed toward the container side supply port 2063 in the conveying path including the container side conveying screw 2062 in the longitudinal direction. When the toner is collected, the toner is transported in the transport path including the container side transport screw 2062 in the longitudinal direction to be separated from the container side supply port 2063. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 17A, the toner container 2060 may include a plurality of container side conveying screws 2062A and 2062B (container side conveyors). With the above configuration, when the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the crucible 2063 is supplied toward the side of the container to transfer the carbon powder while making carbon. The powder circulates in the longitudinal direction in a conveying path containing the respective container side conveying screws 2062A and 2062B. In this case, it is preferable to rotationally drive the two container side conveying screws 2062A and 2062B during the collection of the toner to prevent the toner collected from the side supply of the container 2063 from leaking to the outside of the container. Whether the direction of rotation is the forward direction (the direction of rotation formed by the cycle indicated by the black arrow in Fig. 17A) or the opposite direction (formed in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the black arrow in Fig. 17A) The direction of rotation), the effect is the same.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyors) are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction by the partition member 2056 in the developing device main unit 2050, wherein the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 ( The conveyor) conveys toner (developer) in the longitudinal direction and forms a circulation path. When the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the toner container 2060 (developer container) is different from the arrangement when the developing device 205Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100. The arrangement is installed in the developing device main unit 2050, and the toner is discharged from the developing device main unit 2050 by driving the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055, and the toner is collected inside the toner container 2060. Also, the toner remaining inside the developing device 205Y is completely collected, and the toner collected by the self-developing device 205Y can be reused without being wasted.

<Sixth embodiment>

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 18 to 20. Fig. 18 is a schematic view showing the developing device during the collection of the developer according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 18 corresponds to Fig. 16 of the fifth embodiment. Further, Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 are schematic views showing the developing device during the collection of the developer according to the corresponding modified embodiment. The developer collecting method according to the sixth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that the developing device main unit 2050 is arranged in the same arrangement as that when it is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100, and in the developer container 2060. Arranged in the case where the longitudinal direction thereof is set to the vertical direction.

Similar to the fifth embodiment, the developing device 205Y according to the sixth embodiment includes the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 (developer container). The developing device main unit 2050 includes: a developing roller 2051 (developer supporting body); a supply roller 2053 (developer supply member); a doctor blade 2052 (developer regulating member); a plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyor); The spacer element 2056; and the main unit side supply port 2057. Further, the toner container 2060 includes: a stirrer 2061; a container side conveying screw 2062 (container side conveyor); and a side of the container. 2063. Similarly to the case of the fifth embodiment, during normal operation, the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 of the developing device 205Y are mounted to the image forming device main body 2100 shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and the image is executed. Forming steps.

Referring to Fig. 18, the developing device main unit 2050 of the sixth embodiment includes a main unit side opening 2058 which is of an openable and closable type and which is located at the end in the longitudinal direction of the conveying paths B1 and B2. During normal operation of the developing device 205Y mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 (an operation different from the toner collecting operation), the main unit side opening 2058 may be covered (closed) by the sealing member or the shutter member. As shown in Fig. 18, when the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected (during the collection of the toner), the main unit side opening 2058 is opened, so that The main unit side opening 2058 communicates with the container side supply port 2063, and the developing device main unit 2050 is mounted (arranged) to the toner container 2060 to maintain the arrangement of the circulation paths in the horizontal direction. In this case, similarly to the case where the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven in the forward direction.

With the above configuration, when the toner is circulated in the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 18, the autonomous unit side opening 2058 discharges the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050, and the toner is supplied through the side of the container 埠 2063. It is collected inside the toner container 2060. The above-described toner collecting operation is performed in the case where the number of toners circulated in the conveying paths B1 and B2 is small. Since the toner is discharged from the main unit side opening 2058 at the end of the first conveying path B1, similarly to the case of normal operation, when the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven to make the toner in the conveying paths B1 and B2 At the time of circulation, the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 can be discharged so that the amount of toner in the developing device main unit 2050 approaches zero.

Further, when the above-described toner collecting operation is performed, in the toner container 2060, the container side conveying screw 2062 is preferably rotationally driven in a rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction of the case where the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100. In the sixth embodiment, during the collection of the toner, the toner container 2060 is mounted to the developing device main unit 2050 such that the container side supply port 2063 is located at the upper position to set its longitudinal direction to the vertical direction. Therefore, the toner flowing from the side of the container to the crucible 2063 falls due to its own weight and enters the inside of the toner container 2060. However, as described above, when the container side conveying screw 2062 is driven to rotate in the reverse rotation, a force is applied to the toner to convey the toner in a direction in which the toner is separated from the container side supply port 2063, thereby ensuring that the toner is collected. The inside of the housing unit C of the toner container 2060.

Further, as shown in Fig. 19, in the toner container 2060 according to the sixth embodiment, the openable and closable container side opening 2064 may be formed at the end in the longitudinal direction. The container side opening 2064 can be in communication with the main unit side opening 2058 during toner collection. During normal operation of the developing device 205Y mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 (an operation different from the toner collecting operation), the container side opening 2064 may be covered (closed) by the sealing member or the shutter member. When the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the main unit side opening 2058 and the container side opening 2064 (closed when the developing device 205Y is mounted to the apparatus main body) are both open. And the main unit side opening 2058 and the container side opening 2064 communicate with each other. At this time, the developing device main unit 2050 is attached to the toner container 2060 to maintain the arrangement of the conveying paths B1 and B2 in the horizontal direction. Next, the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven in the same direction as the direction of normal operation, and the container side conveying screw 2062 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the direction of normal operation. In this case, during the collection of the toner, the toner container 2060 is arranged such that the container side opening 2064 is at the upper position and the longitudinal direction is changed to the vertical direction. At this time, the container side supply port 2063 is preferably sealed through the sealing member. Further, the main unit side opening 2058 of the developing device main unit 2050 is preferably formed to be opened downward as shown in Fig. 19.

Further, as shown in Fig. 20, in the toner container 2060 according to the sixth embodiment, during the collection of the toner, the self-developing device main unit 2050 is discharged without driving the container side conveying screw 2062. The toner can be collected inside the toner container 2060 only by free fall. That is, when the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the toner container 2060 is arranged in such a manner that the longitudinal direction is changed to the vertical direction, whereby the auto developing device main unit 2050 is provided. The discharged toner falls due to its own weight, and the toner is collected inside the toner container 2060. In this case, the openable and closable container side opening 2064 similar to that of Fig. 19 in the toner container 2060 is preferably formed at the end in the longitudinal direction, and the container side opening 2064 during the collection of the toner. It is preferably in communication with the main unit side opening 2058 of the developing device main unit 2050. In addition, in order to avoid mutual interference between the container side conveying screw 2062 and the toner falling due to its own weight, unlike the container side opening 2064 shown in FIG. 19, the container side opening 2064 is preferably formed differently from the container. A part of the conveying path of the side conveying screw 2062 (the end portion of the accommodating unit C in the longitudinal direction shown in Fig. 20).

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, similarly to the case of the fifth embodiment, the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyors) are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction by the partition member 2056 in the developing device main unit 2050, wherein A plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyors) convey toner (developer) in the longitudinal direction and form a circulation path. When the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the toner container 2060 (developer container) is different from the arrangement when the developing device 205Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100. The arrangement is mounted to the developing device main unit 2050, and the toner is discharged from the developing device main unit 2050 by driving the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055, thereby collecting the toner inside the toner container 2060. Likewise, the toner remaining inside the developing device 205Y is completely collected, and the toner collected by the developing device 205Y can be reused without being wasted.

Further, in the sixth embodiment, the arrangement in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is maintained in the same manner as in the normal operation (when the developing device 205Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100) during the collection of the toner. At the time, the developing device main unit 2050 is connected (mounted) to the toner container 2060. Conversely, during the collection of the toner, the developing device main unit 2050 can be attached (attached) to the toner container 2060 while the developing device main unit 2050 is operated relative to the normal operation (when the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming device main body) At 2100 o'clock, the arrangement of the cases is reversed in the vertical direction (retaining the arrangement in the horizontal direction). In this case, the main unit side supply port 2057 or the main unit side opening 2058 (formed on the side of the second conveyance path B2) may be used to discharge the toner of the self-developing device main unit 2050.

<Seventh embodiment>

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 21 and 22. Fig. 21 is a schematic view showing the developing device during the collection of the developer according to the seventh embodiment. Fig. 21 corresponds to Fig. 16 of the fifth embodiment. Fig. 22 is a schematic view showing a developing device during collection of a developer according to a modified embodiment. The developer collecting method according to the seventh embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that when the arrangement of the developing device main unit 2050 is maintained in the same manner as when the developing device 205Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100, The developing device main unit 2050 is attached to the developer container 2060. Meanwhile, when the arrangement of the developer container 2060 with respect to the developing device 205Y to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is reversed in the vertical direction, the developer container 2060 is attached to the developing device main unit. Unit 2050.

Similar to the fifth and sixth embodiments, the developing device 205Y according to the seventh embodiment includes the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container (developer container). The developing device main unit 2050 includes: Developing roller 2051 (developer support); supply roller 2053 (developer supply member); doctor blade 2052 (developer regulating member); a plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyor); spacer member 2056; Side supply 埠2057. Further, the toner container 2060 includes: a stirrer 2061; a container side conveying screw 2062 (container side conveyor); and a container side supply port 2063. Similarly to the case of the fifth embodiment, during normal operation, the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 of the developing device 205Y are mounted to the image forming device main body 2100 shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and the image is executed. Forming steps.

Referring to Fig. 21, the developing device main unit 2050 of the seventh embodiment includes a main unit side opening 2058 which is formed in an openable and closable form and which is located at the end in the longitudinal direction of the conveying paths B1 and B2. The main unit side opening 2058 is opened downward. During normal operation of the developing device 205Y mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 (an operation different from the toner collecting operation), the main unit side opening 2058 is covered (closed) by an element such as a sealing member or a shutter member. As shown in Fig. 21, when the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected (during the collection of the toner), the main unit side opening 2058 is opened to make the main unit side The opening 2058 is in communication with the container side supply port 2063, and the developing device main unit 2050 is attached (disposed) to the toner container 2060 to maintain the arrangement of the conveying paths B1 and B2 in the horizontal direction. In this case, similarly to the case where the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven in the forward direction.

With the above configuration, when the toner circulates in the direction indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 21, the autonomous unit side opening 2058 discharges the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050, and the toner passes through the container due to its own weight drop. The side supply port 2063 is collected inside the toner container 2060. The above toner collecting operation is performed in the case where the number of toners circulated in the conveying paths B1 and B2 is small. Since the toner is discharged from the main unit side opening 2058 at the end of the first conveying path B1, similarly to the case of normal operation, when the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven to make the toner in the conveying paths B1 and B2 In the middle cycle, the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 can be discharged, and the amount of toner in the developing device main unit 2050 approaches zero.

Further, when the above-described toner collecting operation is performed, in the toner container 2060, the container side conveying screw 2062 is preferably rotationally driven in a rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction when the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100. In the seventh embodiment, the toner container 2060 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 with respect to the developing device 205Y during the collection of the toner. The arrangement of the toner containers 2060 is reversed in the vertical direction to open the container side supply port 2063 of the toner container 2060 upward. In order to prevent the toner from being leaked from the container side supply port 2063, the toner is conveyed in a direction in which the toner is separated from the container side supply port 2063 by the reverse rotation of the container side conveying screw 2062, thereby ensuring toner collection in the toner container. The interior of the housing unit C of 2060. According to the toner collecting method of the seventh embodiment, the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the special tool for setting the developing device 2050 and the toner container 2060 from being enlarged in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in Fig. 22, in the toner container 2060 according to the seventh embodiment, the openable and closable container side opening 2064 may be formed at the end in the longitudinal direction. The container side opening 2064 can be in communication with the main unit side opening 2058 during toner collection. During normal operation of the developing device 205Y mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 (an operation different from the toner collecting operation), the container side opening 2064 may be covered (closed) by an element such as a sealing member or a shutter member. When the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the main unit side opening 2058 and the container side opening 2064 which are closed when the developing device 205Y is mounted to the apparatus main body are switched into an open state, and The main unit side opening 2058 and the container side opening 2064 communicate with each other. At this time, the developing device main unit 2050 is attached to the toner container 2060 to maintain the arrangement of the transport paths B1 and B2 in the horizontal direction. Then, the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven in the same direction as the direction of normal operation, and the container side conveying screw 2062 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the direction of normal operation. In this case, during the collection of the toner, when the arrangement of the toner container 2060 in the case where the toner container 2060 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 with respect to the developing device 205Y is reversed in the vertical direction, carbon The powder container 2060 is attached to the developing device main unit 2050. As described above, since the container side supply port 2063 is opened upward, although the container side supply port 2063 is not sealed by the sealing member, the toner is not leaked from the container side supply port 2063 during the toner collection.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, similarly to the case of the fifth embodiment, the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyor) that convey the toner (developer) in the longitudinal direction and form the circulation path pass through the developing device. The spacer elements 2056 in the main unit 2050 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. When the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the arrangement of the toner container 2060 (developer container) in the case where the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 Different arrangements are installed on the main unit of the developing device The unit 2050, and discharges the toner from the developing device main unit 2050 by driving the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055, thereby collecting the toner inside the toner container 2060. Also, the toner remaining inside the developing device 205Y will be completely collected, and the toner collected by the self-developing device 205Y can be reused without being wasted.

Further, in the seventh embodiment, the arrangement in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is maintained in the same manner as in the normal operation (when the developing device 205Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100) during the collection of the toner. At the time, the developing device main unit 2050 is attached (attached) to the toner container 2060. Conversely, during the collection of the toner, when the arrangement of the developing device main unit 2050 with respect to the normal operation (when the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100) is reversed in the vertical direction (retaining the horizontal direction) In the arrangement in the middle, the developing device main unit 2050 can be attached (attached) to the toner container 2060. In this case, the main unit side supply port 2057 or the main unit side opening 2058 (formed on the side of the second conveyance path B2) may be used to discharge the toner of the self-developing device main unit 2050.

<Eighth Embodiment>

An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 23A and 23B. Fig. 23A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the developing device according to the eighth embodiment in the longitudinal direction during the collection of the developer. The connection state between the developing device main body 2050 and the toner container 2060 can be seen from Fig. 23A. Fig. 23B is a schematic view showing the X2-X2 cross section in Fig. 23A. The developer collecting method according to the eighth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that it is collected from the developing device main unit 2050 to the developer container 2060 by using the main unit side opening 2059 formed at the bottom of the developing device main unit 2050. Developer.

Similar to the fifth, sixth, and seventh embodiments, the developing device 205Y according to the eighth embodiment includes the developing device main unit 2050 and a toner container (developer container). The developing device main unit 2050 includes: a developing roller 2051 (developer supporting body); a supply roller 2053 (developer supply member); a doctor blade 2052 (developer regulating member); a plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyor); The spacer element 2056; and the main unit side supply port 2057. Further, the toner container 2060 includes: a stirrer 2061; a container side conveying screw 2062 (container side conveyor); and a container side supply port 2063. Similarly to the case of the fifth embodiment, during normal operation, the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 of the developing device 205Y are mounted to the image forming device main body 2100 shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and the image is executed. Forming steps.

Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the developing device main unit 2050 of the eighth embodiment includes a main unit side opening 2059 which is formed in an openable and closable type, and is located in the longitudinal direction of the conveying paths B1 and B2. Ends. When the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the main unit side opening 2059 is located at the bottom position of the developing device main unit 2050 (the rear wall portion of the developing device main unit 2050 facing the supply roller 2053). During the normal operation of the developing device 205Y mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100 (an operation different from the toner collecting operation), the main unit side opening 2059 may be covered (closed) by an element such as a sealing member or a shutter member. As shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, when the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected (during the collection of the toner), the main unit side opening 2059 is opened to The main unit side opening 2059 is communicated with the container side supply port 2063, and the developing device main unit 2050 is attached (disposed) to the toner container 2060 to maintain the arrangement of the conveying paths B1 and B2 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In this case, similarly to the case where the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055 are rotationally driven in the forward direction.

With the above configuration, when the toner circulates in the conveying paths B1 and B2, the autonomous unit side opening 2059 discharges the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050, and collects the toner in the toner container 2060 through the container side supply port 2063. internal. The above toner collecting operation is performed in the case where the number of toners circulated in the conveying paths B1 and B2 is small. Since the toner is discharged from the main unit side opening 2059 located at the bottom of the first conveying path B1, similarly to the case of normal operation, the toner is circulated in the conveying paths B1 and B2 by rotationally driving the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055. At this time, the toner remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 can be discharged, whereby the amount of the toner remaining in the developing device main unit 2050 approaches zero.

Further, when such a toner collecting operation is performed, in the toner container 2060, the container side conveying screw 2062 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the direction in which the developing device 205Y is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 2100. In the eighth embodiment, during the collection of the toner, when the toner container 2060 is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the arrangement thereof in the case where the developing device 205Y is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100, the toner container 2060 is mounted to The developing device main unit 2050 is such that the container side supply port 2063 of the toner container 2060 is opened in the horizontal direction. In order to prevent the toner from being supplied from the container side supply back to the developing device main unit 2050, the toner is conveyed in a direction in which the toner is conveyed in the opposite direction to the container side supply port 2063 by the reverse rotation of the container side conveying screw 2062. The toner is stored in the housing unit C of the toner container 2060. According to the eighth real In the toner collecting method of the embodiment, the developing device main unit 2050 and the toner container 2060 are arranged in parallel in the short direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the special tool for setting the developing device 2050 and the toner container 2060 from being enlarged in the vertical direction.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, similar to the case of the fifth to seventh embodiments, the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyor) that convey the toner (developer) in the longitudinal direction and form the circulation path are formed. The spacer elements 2056 in the developing device main unit 2050 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. When the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit 2050 removed from the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is collected, the toner container 2060 (developer container) is different from the arrangement when the developing device 205Y is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 2100. The arrangement is mounted to the developing device main unit 2050, and the toner is discharged from the developing device main unit 2050 by driving the plurality of conveying screws 2054 and 2055 to collect the toner inside the toner container 2060. Likewise, the toner remaining inside the developing device 205Y can be completely collected, and the toner collected by the self-developing device 205Y can be reused without wasting.

The fifth to eighth embodiments are intended to explain a method of causing a developer (toner) collected from a developing device 205Y using a toner (one-component developer) as a one-component developing method of a developer. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to the developer of the developing device 205Y that collects the developing method using two components of the developer containing the two components of the carbon powder and the carrier ( A method of developing two components). In this case, the developer container 2060 stores the developer having two components, and the developer is supplied from the developer container 2060 to the developing device main unit 2050. Further, a developer discharge unit that appropriately discharges the remaining toner of the self-developing device main body may be included in the developing device 205Y. In this case, a technical effect similar to that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Further, the fifth to eighth embodiments are intended to explain a case where the developing device main unit 2050 detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2100 is formed as a single unit. However, these embodiments are not limited thereto, and these embodiments may be intended to explain that the developing device main unit 2050 is integrally formed with at least one of the photosensitive drum 201Y (image support), the charging unit 204Y, and the cleaning unit 202Y. The case of a unit (processing unit). In this case, similarly to the case of the above embodiment, the developing device main unit 2050 and the elements integrally formed therewith are removed together from the image forming apparatus main body 2100, and the toner collecting work is installed in the toner container 2060. It is performed in the case of the developing device main body 2050. In addition, in this case, A technically similar method to the above embodiment can be obtained by performing the developer collecting method in a similar manner.

Further, the fifth to eighth embodiments are intended to explain the developing device 205Y in which the two conveying screws 2054 and 2055 (conveyor) are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. However, the above embodiment is not limited thereto, and the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a developing device having three or more conveying screws arranged in parallel in the vertical direction and thus forming a circulation path. In this case, a technical effect similar to that of the above embodiment can be obtained by performing the developer collecting method in a manner similar to the above embodiment.

(1) According to the embodiment, the developer collecting method is a developing device configured to be detachably mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developing device includes: a developing device main unit configured to develop a latent image formed on the image supporting body; and a developer container configured to be detachably mounted to the developing device main unit on which the image forming device main body is mounted The upper portion, wherein the developer container is for storing the developer supplied to the developing device main unit. The developing device main unit includes: a developer supporting body placed under the condition that the developing device main unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is used to support the developer; the plurality of conveyors are Configuring to transport the developer stored inside the main unit of the image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction, and configured to form a circulation path in the case where the main unit of the developing device is mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of conveyors are separated by an isolation The elements are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction; and a main unit side supply port is disposed to be connected to the container side supply port of the developer container in the upper portion of the developing device main unit with the developing device main unit mounted to the image forming device main body, Wherein the main unit side is supplied with a crucible configuration to supply the developer of the developer container to the developing device main unit. In the developer collecting method, when the developer remaining inside the main unit of the developing device removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus is collected, the developing unit main unit is developed with both the developer container and the developer container mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus A first arrangement different from the second arrangement of the device main unit and the developer container is mounted to the developer container, and similar to the case where the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the main body of the self-developing device is driven by driving the plurality of conveyors. The developer is discharged to collect the developer inside the developer container.

(2) In the developer collecting method described in (1), when the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit removed from the image forming apparatus main body is collected, the developer container may be mounted to the developing device main unit so that The container side supply port and the main unit side supply port are in communication with each other, wherein the first position of the developing device main unit and the second position of the developer container in the first arrangement are relative to the first position of the developing device main unit in the second arrangement In the second position with the developer container The vertical direction is reversed, and similar to the case where the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, a plurality of conveyors can be driven.

(3) In the developer collecting method described in (1), the developing device main unit may include: a main unit side opening, an end portion of the circulation path in the longitudinal direction, and configured to be openable and closable . In this case, in the developer collecting method, when the toner remaining inside the developing unit main unit removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus is collected, the developing unit main unit can be attached to the developer container by opening the side opening of the main unit. The arrangement of the main unit side opening and the container side supply port communicating with each other and maintaining the circulation path in the horizontal direction; wherein when the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the main unit side opening is closed, and the developing device main Similar to the case where the unit is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, a plurality of conveyors can be driven.

(4) In the developer collecting method described in (1), the developing device main unit may include: a main unit side opening, an end portion of the circulation path in the longitudinal direction, and configured to be openable and closable . The developer container may include a container side opening, an end portion of the developer container in the longitudinal direction, and configured to be openable and closable. In the developer collecting method, when the toner remaining inside the main unit of the developing device removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus is collected, the developing unit main unit can be attached to the developer container by opening the side opening of the main unit and the side opening of the container to The main unit side opening and the container side opening are communicated with each other, and the arrangement of the circulation paths in the horizontal direction is maintained; wherein when the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the main unit side opening and the container side opening are closed, and developing The case where the main unit of the apparatus is mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus is similar, and a plurality of conveyors can be driven.

(5) In the developer collecting method described in (3) or (4), when the toner remaining inside the main unit of the developing device removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus is collected, the developer container may be in the developer container The longitudinal direction is set to the vertical direction, and is mounted to the developing device main unit, and the developer discharged from the developing device main unit is collected in the developer container due to its own weight drop.

(6) In the developer collecting method described in any one of (2) to (4), the container side supply port may be located at an end of the developer container in the longitudinal direction of the developer container, and the developer container may include A container side conveyor configured to supply a developer stored inside the developer container in a longitudinal direction toward the side of the container when the developer container is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body. In the developer collection method, when collected from the main body of the image forming apparatus When the developer remaining inside the main unit of the developing device, the container side conveyor can be rotationally driven in a first direction opposite to the second direction, wherein the container side conveyor is rotationally driven when the developer container is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body .

(7) In the developer collecting method described in any one of (2) to (4), the container side supply port may be located at an end of the developer container in the longitudinal direction of the developer container, and the developer container may include a plurality of container side conveyors configured to supply the developer stored inside the developer container toward the side of the container, while the plurality of container side conveyors circulate in the longitudinal direction when the developer container is mounted to the image forming apparatus body Deliver toner. In the developer collecting method, when the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit removed from the image forming apparatus main body is collected, the container side conveyor can be rotationally driven.

(8) In the developer collecting method described in (1), the developing device main unit may include: a main unit side opening, located at an end of the circulation path in the longitudinal direction, and configured to be openable and closable When the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the main unit side opening is located at the bottom position of the developing device main unit. The container side supply port may be located at an end of the developer container, and the developer container may include: a container side conveyor configured to supply the side surface of the container in the longitudinal direction when the developer container is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body The developer stored inside the developer container is transferred. In the developer collecting method, when the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus is collected, the developing device main unit may be mounted to the developer container to open the main unit side opening to the container The side openings are in communication with each other, and the arrangement of the main unit of the developing device in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is maintained in the case where the main unit of the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus; wherein when the main unit of the developing device is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the main The unit side opening is closed, and similar to the case where the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, when the container side conveyor is rotationally driven in a first direction opposite to the second direction, a plurality of conveyors can be driven, wherein When the developer container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the container side conveyor is rotationally driven.

(9) In the developer collecting method described in any one of (1) to (8), the developer may be carbon powder, and the developing device main unit may include: a developer supply member configured to be in sliding contact a developer support body configured to supply a developer to the developer support, wherein the developer supply member is positioned under the plurality of conveyors when the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body; and a developer regulating member, Configuring to adjust the support on the developer support The amount of the developer in which the developer regulating member is placed in contact with the developer support body when the developing device main unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body.

(10) In the developer collecting method described in any one of (1) to (9), the developing device main unit may be coupled to the image support, the charging unit configured to charge the image support, and the configuration to clean the image support At least one of the cleaning units of the surface is integrally formed.

In summary, embodiments of the present invention describe a developer container, a developing device, a processing cartridge, an image forming device, and a developer refilling method. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the number, shape, and location of each component can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-172608, filed on Aug. 8, 2011, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-010244, filed on Jan. .

16a, 16b, 16c, 16d‧‧‧ exposure devices

21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d‧‧‧ charging roller

22, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d‧‧‧ photoreceptor

23, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d‧‧‧ cleaning blades

26‧‧‧Drive roller

27‧‧‧Driven roller

28, 208‧‧‧Intermediate conveyor belt

29a, 29b, 29c, 29d‧‧‧ main rolls

31, 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d‧‧‧ developing device

32‧‧‧Developing roller

33‧‧‧Supply roller

34, 51‧‧‧Conveying screw (conveyor)

35‧‧‧Toner containment chamber (developer storage chamber)

36, 54‧‧‧ openings (first opening)

37, 55‧‧‧ openings (second opening)

38‧‧‧ sealing element

39‧‧‧Second transfer roller

41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d‧‧‧ toner cartridge (developer container)

52‧‧‧ Gears

53‧‧‧Toner supply埠

56‧‧‧Sealing components

57a, 57b‧‧‧ gear

58a, 58b‧‧‧ engine

59‧‧‧Connecting components

71‧‧‧Fixed devices

100‧‧‧Image forming device

101‧‧‧Processing

201Y‧‧·Photosensitive drum (image support)

202Y‧‧‧ cleaning unit

204Y‧‧‧Draining unit

205Y‧‧‧Developing device

206Y, 206M, 206C, 206K‧‧‧ image forming unit

209Y, 209M, 209C, 209K‧‧‧ main conveying roller

2015‧‧‧Intermediate conveyor belt unit

2019‧‧‧Second transfer roller

2020‧‧‧Fixed unit

2026‧‧‧paper feeding unit

2027‧‧‧paper feed roller

2028‧‧‧recording roller

2050‧‧‧Developing device main unit

2051‧‧‧Developing roller (developer support)

2052‧‧‧Squeegee (developer adjustment element)

2053‧‧‧Supply roller (developer supply element)

2054‧‧‧First conveyor screw (conveyor)

2055‧‧‧Second conveyor screw (conveyor)

2056‧‧‧Isolation components

2057‧‧‧Main unit side supply埠

2058, 2059‧‧‧ main unit side opening

2060‧‧‧Toner cartridge (developer container)

2061‧‧‧Agitator

2062, 2062A, 2062B‧‧‧ container side conveyor screw (container side conveyor)

2063‧‧‧The side of the container is supplied埠

2064‧‧‧ Container side opening

2100‧‧‧Image forming device main body (device main body)

2110‧‧‧ Body Cover

1 is a schematic view showing a structure of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment; and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing an enlarged connecting portion, and The connection state of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment is shown; and FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the method of conveying the toner of one of the self-connected toner cartridges to another toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment; Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a connection state of the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment, and illustrating one of the toner cartridges Method for conveying toner to another toner cartridge; FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the developing device according to the third embodiment; and FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a connection state of the developing device according to the third embodiment, and A method of conveying toner of one of the developing devices to another developing device is explained; Fig. 9 is a view showing another structure of the developing device according to the third embodiment and a connection state of the developing device ; 10 graph display device according to a fourth cross-sectional illustration of a process cartridge of the embodiment; 11 are diagrammatic sketches of a connection state processing cassette according to the fourth embodiment of the display, and said A method of transporting toner of one of the crucibles to another processing crucible is clarified; Fig. 12 is a view showing another structure of the crucible according to the fourth embodiment and a connection state of the processing crucible; Fig. 13 is a diagram showing FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view showing a developing device mounted on the image forming apparatus; FIG. To show a schematic view of the developing device during the collection of the developer; FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view showing the developer container having another structure when the developer container is viewed from above; and FIG. 17B is a view showing the X1-X1 cross section in FIG. 17A. Fig. 18 is a schematic view showing a developing device during collection of a developer according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 19 is a schematic view showing a developing device during collecting of a developer in a modified embodiment; and Fig. 20 is a view showing another A schematic view of a developing device during collection of a developer in a modified embodiment; and FIG. 21 is a view showing a process of collecting a developer in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of a developing device; Fig. 22 is a schematic view showing a developing device during collection of a developer in a modified embodiment; and Fig. 23A is a cross-sectional view showing the developing device during collecting of the developer according to the eighth embodiment; Fig. 23B is a schematic view showing the X2-X2 cross section in Fig. 23A.

51‧‧‧Conveying screw (conveyor)

52‧‧‧ Gears

53‧‧‧Toner supply埠

54‧‧‧ openings (first opening)

55‧‧‧ Opening (second opening)

56‧‧‧Sealing components

Claims (7)

a first developer container configured to convey developer to a second developer container, the first developer container comprising: a first opening configured to engage the second developer container and for conveying the development And a conveyor configured to deliver the developer and configured to deliver the developer through the first opening. The first developer container according to claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises: a third opening and a fourth opening, the third opening and the fourth opening having a shape configured to be joined to each other; Wherein the second developer container includes a second opening, and the second opening includes a fifth opening and a sixth opening, the fifth opening and the sixth opening have a shape configured to engage with each other; and wherein The third opening and the sixth opening are joined and the fourth opening and the fifth opening are joined to transfer the developer from the first developer container to the second developer container. The first developer container of claim 1, wherein the first opening is configured to be engaged with the second developer container through a connecting member; and wherein the first opening is engaged by the connecting member The second developer container conveys the developer from the first developer container to the second developer container. A first developing device configured to convey developer to a second developing device, the first developing device comprising: a developer accommodating chamber configured to store the developer; wherein the developer accommodating chamber includes: an opening configured to Engaging with the second developing device and configured to deliver the developer; and a conveyor configured to deliver the developer and configured to transport the developer through the opening. A processing cartridge configured to be detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus, the processing cartridge comprising: a first developing device configured to convey the developer to a second developing device, wherein the first developing device comprises: a developer accommodating chamber configured to store the developer, and wherein the developer accommodating chamber includes: an opening configured to be engaged with the second developing device and configured to convey the developer; and a conveyor configured to transport The developer is configured to transport the developer through the opening. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first developer container or a processing cartridge configured to convey a developer to a second developer container, the processing cartridge being configured to be detachably mounted to the image Forming device, wherein the first developer container comprises: a first opening configured to engage the second developer container and configured to deliver the developer; and a first conveyor configured to deliver the developer, And configured to transport the developer through the first opening, wherein the processing cartridge comprises: a first developing device configured to transport the developer to a second developing device, wherein the first developing device comprises: a developer containing a chamber configured to store the developer, and wherein the developer accommodating chamber includes: a second opening configured to engage the second developing device and configured to convey the developer; and a second conveyor configured to The developer is delivered and configured to transport the developer through the second opening. A developer refilling method comprising: a joining step of joining a first developer container and a second developer container, wherein the first developer container includes: a first opening configured to engage the second developer container, and a first conveyor Configuring to convey the developer and configured to transport the developer through the first opening; and wherein the second developer container includes: a second opening configured to engage the first developer container, and a second a conveyor configured to convey the developer and configured to convey the developer through the second opening, the first developer container and the second developer container being mutually coupled by joining the first opening and the second opening Engaging; a first conveying step of conveying the developer toward the first opening in the first developer container by the first conveyor; and a second conveying step by the second conveyor The developer is conveyed in a direction in which the developer is separated from the second opening in the second developer container, wherein the developer is removed from the first developer container by the first opening and the second opening Supplied to the second developer container, so that the second developer refilling the developer container, the first opening and the second opening joined to each other based.